Long-term Relationships = Long-term Support
By Sebastian Africano
This afternoon we had a visit from long time Trees, Water & People (TWP) supporter, Karen Allen. Not only had she brought us a bunch of surplus tomato seedlings for TWP staff, she also came bearing a significant gift to start TWP’s work in Mexico.
Her gift was significant for reasons beyond the generous amount given.
First, it was significant because she trusted TWP enough to be the first donor to fund our work with community forest protection groups in Mexico. Karen was with us in the early days of partnership with Utz Che’ in Guatemala, and ten years later still supports and visits the projects she was introduced to in 2014.
Second, we had a chance to reminisce about how our relationship began, which was at a local fundraiser 13 years ago in our home community of Fort Collins, CO. My wife, Claudia, had gone to present TWP’s programs at the fundraiser, and Karen made a donation, then was compelled to check us out further.
Three years later she was on a plane to Guatemala with three of her best friends to spend a week in an off-grid community with TWP Tours, led by myself, Henry Red Cloud, and our departed colleague Lucas Wolf.
Karen is a fan-favorite at TWP - she always brings great stories, good humor, and steadfast optimism to her interactions with us, and motivates us to keep doing our best. She’s seen us during our high points, our lowest points, and has helped build us back up into the strongest version of TWP yet seen.
The world is a great place with supporters like Karen, who dedicate their lives to improving the world through organizations like TWP. We are grateful to have her among our donors, and can’t wait til our next adventure with her.
